By Victor Kanayo
Young Africans, reigning Champions of the Tanzanian Premier League will on Sunday May 28, 2023 face Algeria’s USM Algers in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final.
As captured by CAF online platform, the Tanzania side who knocked out Nigeria’s Rivers United in the quarter-final stage are hoping to put the cherry on top of what has been one of their best seasons.
Yanga Glowing Moment
Tanzania’s most successful club, who recently claimed their 29th Tanzanian Premier League title with three games to spare are in their first ever continental final.
“Yanga”, as the East Africans are affectionately known by their ever-flamboyant supporters certainly came into the tournament as the less fancied side to reach this stage of the competition.
This season’s edition marks their sixth appearance in the competition, where they have not only for the first time made it past the group stages but have impressively secured a place in the finals.
In USM Alger, they face a highly spirited side who after having a jittery start, have now found their rhythm and will be going all out to secure their first ever CAF Continental title.
This will be the Algerians’ second attempt at lifting a CAF Interclub competition final having finished as runner’s up in the 2015 CAF Champions League, which went the way of TP Mazembe through a 4-1 aggregate loss.
With the Algerian Professional League almost out of reach for them, “USMA” have it all to play for and will be hoping to take home a decent result ahead of the return leg scheduled for 3 June in Algeria.
Enroute To Final
After finishing tops with 13 points in group D which had Monastir, Real Bamako, TP Mazembe, the Yanga team swept aside Rivers 2-0 on aggregate in the last eight stage.
In the semi-final, the Tanzania side cancelled Marumo Gallants 4-1 on aggregate to reach final.
For USM Algers, the club ended on second place in the group phase of the competition with Marumo Gallants, Saint Eloi Lupopo, Al Akhdar as opponents.
They faced and conquered AS Far of 5-2 on aggregate in the quarter-final, before semi-final stage saw them dispatch Asec Mimosas 2-0 on aggregate.
